Here are some of the topics we discussed, plus resources and links:
SKYPE partnerships between schools on Long Island and abroad: Here is one example of a Skype conference between Herricks Middle School and the Escuela Campo Alegre in Caracas, Venezuela:
FLACS exam-writing workshop:
For Elaine's item-writing presentation, click here.
You can view/download Lori's Realia/Fakealia presentation here.
Digitizing the AP speaking component; here is a good overview of digital audio recording in the WL classroom
The Common Core and LOTE: I found this PowerPoint on the topic; we will discuss this topic at a future WLLCC meeting
ACTFL's new**AAPPL**assessment: (from the website): "AAPPL, ACTFL's new generation of foreign language assessment on the four skills of language learning across three modes of communication. This project is in the final stages of a multi-year research and development effort. It will be the first large-scale assessment to incorporate the standards of Community, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities into a highly realistic, multi-media role-play in which students use their academic foreign language skills to build bridges between cultures and do meaningful work."
Annenberg Media and WGBH has a collection of excellent videos for WL staff development called "Teaching Foreign Languages: A Library of Classroom Practices" - these include 30 video clips (viewable online) and professional development videos.
The University of Texas at Austin has a series of videos with "Professional development modules for foreign language instruction at the high-school and college levels."
Summer study abroad opportunities for your teachers can be found at the NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) through their Summer Seminars and Institutes and
Fulbright-HaysSummer Seminar Abroad. (OJO! Apply early! Fulbright is due in October and NEH in March for the following summer!)
From our March 2010 meeting - Links for LD and WL:
Topics for World Language Leaders Collegial Circle – 2008/2009 (in order of popularity)
LCTLs (distance learning programs (i.e., exploratory electives: Chinese, Arabic, Russian); Starting a Chinese language program – staffing? Levels? Success?; Maintaining/increasing enrollment in classes other than Spanish; when is it time to start a new language at the school/district?)
Improving WL teacher candidates
Special Ed; alternative ways in which to address students with special needs
Increasing AP scores / screening for AP classes
UBD and Backwards Design
Using digital recording to assess speaking
Incorporating the four skills and the three modes? Do we require teachers to do a certain number of graded reading, writing or speaking (interpersonal - not just presentational) activities per quarter or semester? Do we require that each quiz have listening; each test has all four skills?
------------------------------------------------------------------------- World Language Leaders Collegial Circle
MINUTES of meeting – April 14, 2008
Challenges we face in finding qualified candidates:
What got you into teaching? Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Walk me through a lesson… (does the teacher have a sense of organization of the lesson?)
Suppose the lesson is not going well – what do you do? (does the teacher have a ‘Plan B’?)
Tell me about your hobbies (in the target language)?
In your opinion, which part of a lesson is the most important?
What are you proud of? (either personally or professionally)
How do your activities incorporate the NY State (or ACTFL) standards?
What role does culture play in your teaching?
If you could have dinner with three people from the target culture: Who? Where? What? Why?
If there is a continuum of WL methodology ranging from traditional to communicative, where do you see yourself on the continuum?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
If a lesson flops, who do you turn to for help/advice?
“Targeted selection” method of interviewing: past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior à ask candidates not to describe hypothetical situations (i.e.: what would you do if…), but rather what they have done in the past.
ubD: Understanding By Design, backwards design (Grant Wiggins): plan the assessment first, then design the lesson and activities to reach the goal/objective of the assessment; “Schooling By Design”: http://www.grantwiggins.org/ubd.html
NFLC (http://www.nflc.org) – World Language Observation Protocol (see attached)
NNELL (the National Network for Early Language Learning) – Learning Languaqes: good professional journal and advocacy for K-8 language educators: http://www.nnell.org
CASLS – sign up for InterCOM, an excellent email digest with lists of vetted language links – FANTASTIC websites/resources to share with WL and ESL teachers: http://casls.uoregon.edu/intercom.ph
New teacher workshops run by department chair – teachers help each other to learn about the school, share issues, be supportive.
Encourage teachers to present at local, state, regional and national conferences (i.e., LILT, SCOPE, NECTFL, NYSAFLT, NECTFL)
Encourage teachers to write articles for newsletters (i.e., LILT and NYSAFLT) or magazines (i.e., Language Magazine: http://www.languagemagazine.com)
Have teachers connect to native speakers to improve their own proficiency; use SKYPE (http://www.skype.com) and other online chatting services to speak with native speakers
FLES extension classes: offered at Hofstra July 28-31 (for PD credits OR certification); through Dowling July 14-17 (only for certification) – contact Elaine Margarita: etmrpb@yahoo.com
Other topics
AP Italian being dropped from College Board. Other options? College credit: oMolloy College: contact Linda Albanese o Adelphi: contact Estelle Cohen – (516) 877-3047 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(516) 877-3047end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (516) 877-3047end_of_the_skype_highlighting oSt. Johns: contact Cecilia Russo
Next meeting: May 16! Topics: Technology (wikis, podcasts, websites, etc.) and Special Education (guidelines for exemptions; helping kids with LDs to be successful in WLs).
Thanks to Michele Ortiz for scribing our notes during the meeting!
NOTES from Friday, October 7 - 12:00pm
Here are some of the topics we discussed, plus resources and links:Links from our September 24, 2010 meeting
Links from the June 4, 2010 meeting:
From our March 2010 meeting - Links for LD and WL:
Topics for World Language Leaders Collegial Circle – 2008/2009 (in order of popularity)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Language Leaders Collegial Circle
MINUTES of meeting – April 14, 2008
Challenges we face in finding qualified candidates:
Finding candidates:
Great interview questions
Staff development ideas
http://www.learner.org/resources/series201.html and Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices: http://www.learner.org/resources/series185.html
http://www.neh.gov/projects/si-school.html andFulbright summer seminars: http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/View/ViewCountryIndex.asp
Other topics
o Molloy College: contact Linda Albanese
o Adelphi: contact Estelle Cohen – (516) 877-3047 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (516) 877-3047 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (516) 877-3047 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
o St. Johns: contact Cecilia Russo
Next meeting: May 16!
Topics: Technology (wikis, podcasts, websites, etc.) and Special Education (guidelines for exemptions; helping kids with LDs to be successful in WLs).
Thanks to Michele Ortiz for scribing our notes during the meeting!